Secure firearm handguard with quick release

ABSTRACT

A firearm including a barrel coupled to an upper receiver of the firearm, a removable handguard formed as a solid unit, wherein the removable handguard is securely interlocked with the upper receiver, wherein achieving a secure interlocking includes use of extrusions on the handguard that slide in grooves formed by teeth extending from the upper receiver or vice versa, and wherein the handguard is configured to be quickly removed by pressing on a linear operated release button of a locking mechanism that is part of the firearm or upper receiver.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a handguard of a firearm and more specifically to a handguard that is securely mounted on the firearm and can be attached or released quickly.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Many firearms are provided with a handguard that is attached to the firearm in parallel to the barrel. The handguard protects the barrel and enable a user to grasp the firearm while shooting without coming in contact with the barrel, which can become very hot. The handguard needs to be securely attached to the firearm so that it won't move or fall off during use of the firearm, for example due to recoil.

In some firearms the handguard is designed to entirely surround the barrel. Whereas in some firearms an upper receiver is provided as an integral part of the firearm and the handguard is attached to the upper receiver from below the barrel.

Typically the handguard or the handguard with the upper receiver are designed to form a generally cylindrical porous enclosure surrounding the barrel. The porous enclosure enables the release of heat, yet also enables the entry of dirt. This can lead to the need to frequently remove the handguard to clean the barrel from dirt. In many firearms this could be a tedious task and require use of tools to dismantle the handguard from the upper receiver. Likewise when dismantling the handguard the user may need to keep track of multiple parts, for example clasps, screws or nuts and bolts. This makes it less desirable to maintain the firearm in the field. It would therefore be desirable to have a handguard that is securely attached to the firearm yet can be quickly dismantled without the use of tools and additional parts that need to be accounted for.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An aspect of an embodiment of the disclosure, relates to a firearm with a barrel protector comprising an upper receiver and a handguard. The handguard is formed as a solid rigid unit that can be quickly attached or dismantled from the upper receiver without use of additional connecting elements, such as screws, clips or adhesives. The handguard is securely connected to the upper receiver with the aid of extrusions on the handguard, which slide in grooves formed by teeth extending from the upper receiver or vice versa. The handguard is locked in place by a linear locking mechanism with a release button installed on the firearm or upper receiver. The release button is configured to extend outward from the firearm and fit into a locking hole on the handguard to prevent it from moving when deployed on the firearm.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the handguard is attached by placing the handguard next to the upper receiver, sliding it backward toward the rear end (stock) of the firearm, until reaching the release button then pressing the release button inward so that the handguard can finish sliding backward and be locked in place by the release button. Alternatively, when reaching the release button the handguard can be slightly tilted to push on a top end of the release button and push it inward to continue sliding backward until reaching the position in which the release button locks the handguard by extending outward into the locking hole. Optionally, the release button is designed with a tapered side surface to form a special geometrical end at the tip of the release button and cause the release button to tightly interface the locking hole preventing freedom of motion.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, part of the handguard is designed to surround the barrel of the firearm, for example like a ring. Optionally, when deployed the part surrounding the barrel forms an extension to a rail on the upper receiver.

There is thus provided according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a firearm comprising:

-   -   A barrel coupled to an upper receiver of the firearm;     -   A removable handguard formed as a solid unit;     -   Wherein the removable handguard is securely interlocked with the         upper receiver; wherein achieving a secure interlocking includes         use of extrusions on the handguard that slide in grooves formed         by teeth extending from the upper receiver or vice versa;     -   Wherein the handguard is configured to be quickly removed by         pressing on a linear operated release button of a locking         mechanism that is part of the firearm or upper receiver.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, part of the handguard is configured to form an enclosure that surrounds part of the barrel of the firearm. Optionally, the locking mechanism includes one or more springs that are configured to push the release button outward to lock the handguard in position and prevent it from moving. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the locking mechanism includes an extension extending from a side of the release button, which limits the distance the release button can extend outward from the locking mechanism. Optionally, the locking mechanism is surrounded by screws that tighten the barrel to the upper receiver.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the groove is configured to enable the handguard to tilt slightly downward to bypass the release button, when the handguard is sliding on the upper receiver to be locked on the firearm and is adjacent to the release button. Optionally, the enclosure of the handguard includes an extension that extends a rail of the upper receiver. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the release button has a tapered side surface that is narrower toward a top end of the release button. Optionally, the handguard forms an acute angle at a meeting location with the upper receiver. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the handguard comprises a locking hole that is configured to receive the release button.

There is further provided according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of assembly of a firearm, comprising:

-   -   Coupling a barrel to an upper receiver of the firearm;     -   Attaching a removable handguard, formed as a solid unit, to the         upper receiver;     -   Wherein the removable handguard is securely interlocked with the         upper receiver; wherein achieving a secure interlocking includes         use of extrusions on the handguard that slide in grooves formed         by teeth extending from the upper receiver or vice versa;     -   Wherein the handguard is configured to be quickly removed by         pressing on a linear operated release button of a locking         mechanism that is part of the firearm or upper receiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be understood and better appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. Identical structures, elements or parts, which appear in more than one figure, are generally labeled with the same or similar number in all the figures in which they appear, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a firearm with an upper receiver and a handguard, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a deployed and non-deployed handguard, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a tilted handguard for deploying on a firearm, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of an upper receiver, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a handguard, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a locking and releasing mechanism, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view of a locking and releasing mechanism, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view of a handguard interlocking with an upper receiver, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a firearm 100 with an upper receiver 120 and a handguard 110, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The handguard 110 is designed to be easily attached to the upper receiver 120 to protect a barrel 130 of the firearm 110. The handguard 110 is configured to be securely locked to the upper receiver 120 and yet to be quickly released when necessary, for example with a single click of a release button 142 of a linear operated locking mechanism 140. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the handguard 110 is formed as a solid unit without having additional parts for interlocking with the upper receiver 120. For example the handguard 110 may be cast in a mold, or machined from an extrusion. Alternatively, the handguard 110 may be cut out from a sheet of material and folded up. The handguard 110 may be made entirely from plastic or metal e.g., Aluminum or other rigid materials. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the upper receiver 120 includes a rail 160 (e.g., a Picatinny rail) configured to accommodate accessories, such as a sight, a laser pointer or other devices. Optionally, the handguard 110 includes an extension that forms an enclosure 112 that surrounds the barrel 130 and the enclosure 112 may include a rail extension 165 that extends the length of the rail 160. The handguard enclosure 112 may form an acute angle 114 at a meeting location 190 between a side 119 of the handguard 110 and a front 129 of the upper receiver 120 to enhance stability of the connection of the handguard 110 with the upper receiver 120. Additionally, the handguard 110 and/or upper receiver 120 may include pores 180 to allow the flow of air to cool the barrel 130 during use of the firearm 100.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the barrel 130 is secured to the upper receiver 120 with a fixating pin 151 and one or more tightening screws 150 that tighten the upper receiver 120 around the barrel 130. Optionally, locking mechanism 140 with release button 142 is positioned between the tightening screws 150 to secure the locking mechanism 140 in position. For example one tightening screw 150 may be positioned in front of the locking mechanism 140 toward the barrel, and one tightening screw 150 may be positioned in back of the locking mechanism 140 toward the stock 170 of the firearm 100.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a deployed and non-deployed handguard 110 and FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a tilted handguard 110 for deploying on firearm 100, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown by FIGS. 2 and 3 handguard 110 is initially positioned near to release button 142. To complete installation of the handguard 110 the user needs to press release button 142 so that the handguard 110 may continue to slide into position and the release button 142 will extend outward through a locking hole 135 (FIG. 5 ) in the body of the handguard 110. Alternatively, the handguard 110 may be tilted downward to bypass the release button 142, which is preventing the handguard 110 from sliding into the locking position. Optionally, by tilting downward the handguard 110 can slide forward a bit more (e.g. by the width of the release button 142) and then be straightened back upward to slide into a locking position. Release of the handguard 110 can be performed by pressing the release button 142 inward, for example with a bullet 185, a screwdriver or other rigid item. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the upper receiver 120 comprises teeth 125 that are bent to form a groove 127. The handguard 110 comprises a matching extrusion 115 with a recess 117 between the extrusions (e.g., FIG. 5 ). The teeth 125 are configured to slide through the recess 117 to position the extrusions 115 to slide within the groove 127, when deploying the handguard 110 onto the upper receiver 120. The handguard 110 is configured to slide back and forth relative to the upper receiver 120 while limited by the teeth 125 and extrusions 115 from being separated. Optionally, when the handguard 110 is adjacent to the release button 142 the groove 127 may provide enough freedom for the handguard 110 to tilt slightly downward and bypass the release button 142 as illustrated in FIG. 3 . In an embodiment of the disclosure, when the handguard 110 is fully deployed the extrusions 115 of the handguard 110 are grasped tightly in the grooves 127 of teeth 125 of the upper receiver 120 and the handguard 110 is prevented from tilting. When the handguard 110 is fully deployed release button 142 extends outward through locking hole 135 and prevents the handguard 110 from moving forward toward the front of the firearm 100. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the teeth 125 may extend from the handguard 110 and the extrusion may extends from the upper receiver 115, as opposed to the above description.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of upper receiver 120, and FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a handguard 110, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 the handguard 110 is configured to slide onto the upper receiver 120 until reaching the release button 142. Then the user either presses release button 142 upward to allow the handguard 110 to finish sliding into position and be locked into position by the release button 142 or the user tilts the handguard 110 slightly downward so that the handguard 110 can advance another few millimeters, then press against the release button 142 upward using the handguard itself and finish by sliding the handguard linearly into position.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, toward the front of the handguard 110, the extrusions 115 include bumps 118 that extend outward from the extrusions 115. The bumps 118 use the self-flexibility of the handguard 110 and upper receiver 120 causing the handguard 110 to tightly grip the upper receiver 120 and limit the freedom of motion of the handguard 110, for example preventing sideway motion when the upper receiver 110 is fully deployed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of locking and releasing mechanism 140, and FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view (AA) of locking and releasing mechanism 140, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment of the disclosure, locking mechanism 140 includes one or more springs 145 (e.g., 2 springs) or other resilient material to push release button 142 outward, so that it will keep the handguard 110 locked in position. Optionally, locking mechanism 140 includes a locking pin 146 and release button 142 includes an extension 148 that extends from a side of the release button 142 and is blocked by the locking pin 146 to limit the distance that the release button 142 can extend outwards and prevent the release button 142 from falling off. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the release button 142 has a tapered head 144, for example with one side becoming narrower toward the top end of the tapered head 144. The tapered head 144 may limit the distance that the release button can extend outward. Alternatively or additionally, the tapered head 144 may help lock the handguard by matching locking hole 135 and preventing movement. Optionally. The tapered head 144 is pushed downward into locking hole 135, pushes the handguard 110 backward toward the firearm stock 170, locking the handguard 110 relative to the upper receiver 120.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the locking mechanism 140 is located between tightening bores 155 that accept screws 150 to secure the barrel to the upper receiver 120 on firearm 100. This position may protect the locking mechanism 140 from damage. Optionally, a fixating pin bore 157, which accepts fixating pin 151 to position the barrel 130, is located above the location of the locking mechanism 140.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the release button 142 is configured not to extend beyond the body of the handguard 110 to prevent it from being accidently pressed while grasping the handguard 110 or due to an impact. Optionally, pushing the release button with a bullet or screwdriver will enable quickly releasing the handguard 110 as a single unit, without additional screws or pieces that can be misplaced.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the side 119 of the handguard 110 at meeting location 190 is tilted backward and configured to geometrically match the front side 129 of the upper receiver 120 to prevent motion of the handguard 110 relative to the upper receiver 120. In some embodiments of the disclosure, the handguard 110 and the upper receiver 120 are configured to meet geometrically in a similar manner at other positions, for example at a second meeting location 192 and/or a third meeting location 194 to enhance stability of the handguard 110.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view BB of handguard 110 interlocking with upper receiver 120, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Optionally, handguard 110 is configured that extrusions 115 tightly pinch grooves 127 of the upper receiver teeth 125 to prevent the handguard 110 from moving relative to upper receiver 120. Alternatively or additionally, the thickness of extrusions 115 is selected to snugly fit into grooves 127 and prevent motion of the handguard 110 relative to the upper receiver 120 when the handguard 110 is fully deployed onto the upper receiver 120.

It should be appreciated that the above described methods and apparatus may be varied in many ways, including omitting or adding steps, changing the order of steps and the type of devices used. It should be appreciated that different features may be combined in different ways. In particular, not all the features shown above in a particular embodiment are necessary in every embodiment of the disclosure. Further combinations of the above features are also considered to be within the scope of some embodiments of the disclosure.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims, which follow. 

I/We claim:
 1. A firearm comprising: a barrel coupled to an upper receiver of the firearm; a removable handguard formed as a solid unit; wherein the removable handguard is securely interlocked with the upper receiver; wherein achieving a secure interlocking includes use of extrusions on the handguard that slide in grooves formed by teeth extending from the upper receiver or vice versa; wherein the handguard is configured to be quickly removed by pressing on a linear operated release button of a locking mechanism that is part of the firearm or upper receiver.
 2. The firearm of claim 1, wherein part of the handguard is configured to form an enclosure that surrounds part of the barrel of the firearm.
 3. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes one or more springs that are configured to push the release button outward to lock the handguard in position and prevent it from moving.
 4. The firearm of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism includes an extension extending from a side of the release button, which limits the distance the release button can extend outward from the locking mechanism.
 5. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is surrounded by screws that tighten the barrel to the upper receiver.
 6. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the groove is configured to enable the handguard to tilt slightly downward to bypass the release button, when the handguard is sliding on the upper receiver to be locked on the firearm and is adjacent to the release button.
 7. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the enclosure of the handguard includes an extension that extends a rail of the upper receiver.
 8. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the release button has a tapered side surface that is narrower toward a top end of the release button.
 9. The firearm of claim 2, wherein the handguard forms an acute angle at a meeting location with the upper receiver.
 10. The firearm of claim 1, wherein the handguard comprises a locking hole that is configured to receive the release button.
 11. A method of assembly of a firearm, comprising: coupling a barrel to an upper receiver of the firearm; attaching a removable handguard, formed as a solid unit, to the upper receiver; wherein the removable handguard is securely interlocked with the upper receiver; wherein achieving a secure interlocking includes use of extrusions on the handguard that slide in grooves formed by teeth extending from the upper receiver or vice versa; wherein the handguard is configured to be quickly removed by pressing on a linear operated release button of a locking mechanism that is part of the firearm or upper receiver.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein part of the handguard is configured to form an enclosure that surrounds part of the barrel of the firearm.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism includes one or more springs that are configured to push the release button outward to lock the handguard in position and prevent it from moving.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism includes an extension extending from a side of the release button, which limits the distance the release button can extend outward from the locking mechanism.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism is surrounded by screws that tighten the barrel to the upper receiver.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the groove is configured to enable the handguard to tilt slightly downward to bypass the release button, when the handguard is sliding on the upper receiver to be locked on the firearm and is adjacent to the release button.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the enclosure of the handguard includes an extension that extends a rail of the upper receiver.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the release button has a tapered side surface that is narrower toward a top end of the release button.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the handguard forms an acute angle at a meeting location with the upper receiver
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the handguard comprises a locking hole that is configured to receive the release button. 